What Happens If You Are Accused of Insubordination or Violating a Chain of Command in a Nursing Setting?

Every state has a strict set of rules and policies for nurses to uphold, which includes following the instructions of supervisors and authority figures. Still, you want to think for yourself and do what seems right if you disagree with the people instructing you. Your personality might also clash with those who have the power to discipline you.

Either way, you might sometimes find yourself accused of insubordination or violating the chain of command. You must take these accusations seriously to avoid license sanctions that could irreversibly damage your career. Learn what to do by calling the LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team at 888.535.3686, or filling out this contact form.

How Do Nursing Boards Define Insubordination?

The exact language and criteria may vary slightly from one nursing board to another. Generally, however, insubordination is regarded as a subcategory of unprofessional conduct, defined as defying reasonable and clear instructions or orders that you demonstrably understood. This means that you could face allegations of insubordination for:

• Declining to administer prescribed medications or treatments to a patient.
• Failing to complete tasks or address patients’ needs in a timely manner.
• Openly disrespecting, criticizing, harassing, arguing, or using abusive language with your supervisor or other authority figures.
• Refusing to follow workplace policies.
• Purposely or carelessly providing incorrect data or information to undermine a team project.

These are only a few of many possible examples. All of them can lead to sanctions, from written reprimands or fines to license suspensions or revocations.

How Can You Defend Yourself from an Insubordination Accusation?

You must begin strategizing for your defense as soon as you discover that someone has filed a formal complaint against you. Depending on the situation and circumstances, your options might vary.

For instance, perhaps the accusation stems from a heated confrontation in which you were advocating for yourself, a patient, or another employee in a manner that you genuinely thought was justified. You could explain to the board that your intentions were pure, regardless of the outcome. The same could be true if you simply refused to treat a patient as ordered.

Maybe you believe that the person who filed the complaint is looking for excuses to get you in trouble. If so, point out to the board that the report exaggerated the negativity of your words or actions, or that you were unfairly provoked.

Basically, the key to defending yourself from a complaint like this is to present yourself as a nurse who cares about your job and the people it affects. Sometimes, that’s more important to the board than having a spotless record.

Get the LLF National Law Firm on Your Side

There’s so much more to nursing than complying perfectly with every order you receive. If your career is threatened because someone has accused you of insubordination, you need an attorney who can stand up for you against the board so that you can keep your license. That’s why you should call the LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation.